Strip coiling apparatus



Sept. 11, 1956 E. T. LORIG ETAL STRIP COILING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 2, 1955 .'5 Sheets-Sheet 1 SePL 11 1956 E. T. LORIG ET AL 2,762,578

STRIP comme APPARATUS Filed Sept. 2, 1955 r 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 STRIP COILING APPARATUS Filed Sept.v 2, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FISA- FEEL ZA i! or?? i! i F IE .7.

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llnited States Patent 2,762,578 'STRIP -coILlNG APPARATUS T. Lorg and Howard S. Orr, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 2, 1953, Serial No. 378,052

8 Claims. (Cl. 242-78) 'This invention relates to strip ceiling apparatus and more particularly to coiling apparatus utilizing a belt wrapper which is a well known device for guiding the leading end of an oncoming strip onto a rotating winding reel and holding it against the reel until several wraps have been wound and have developed sufficient frictional engagement to prevent slipping of the strip under the Winding tension. Such belt Wrappers are disclosed in the patents to Kenworthy No. 1,282,236, dated October 22, 1918, Klein No. 2,172,616, dated September 12, 1939, and Beard No. 2,262,160, dated November 11, 1941. The belt wrappers shown in these patents and other belt Wrappers now in use have not been satisfactory because they are expensive to make and difcult to maintain. In the belt wrappers now in use the belt passes over from four to seven pulleys depending upon the wrapper design and misadjustment or pressure against the winding reel of any of the pulleys will drive the belt out of alignment. The belt wrapper approaches the reel on a sliding pivoted frame which is necessarily imsy and subject to distortion by accident. Since the belt can not be held exactly square with the reel it will be forced out of alignment. Misalignment of the belt causes the belt to be driven into the machine housing with resultant damage to the edges of the belt. This requires frequent replacement of the belt and loss of operating time. In addition oi center operation of the belt throws the leading end of the strip out of square with the reel and results in defective coiling during formation of the initial wraps, thus forming a loosely wound core for the following wraps accompanied by lateral weaving.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a belt wrapper in which the belt is kept in alignment so as to eliminate the ditiiculties mentioned above.

This and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specication and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a belt wrapper;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view taken on the line II-ll of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a View, similar to Figure 2, showing the belt in retracted position away from the winding drum;

Figure 4 is a sectional View of the belt showing a roll support therefor;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the belt showing a roll support at a different position;

Figure 6 is a View, similar to Figure 5, showing a second embodiment of our invention;

Figure 7 is a View, similar to Figure 5, showing a third embodiment of our invention;

Figure 8 is a view, similar to Figure 5, showing a fourth embodiment of our invention; and

Figure 9 is a view, similar to Figure 5, showing a fth embodiment of our invention.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate the housings of a 4-high rolling mill, 5 and 6 represent the working rolls and backing-up rolls, respectively, of the nice mill, and 7 represents an idling roll interposed between the exit side of the working rolls 5 and the winding drum or reel 8. Conventional means for driving this winding drum are designated generally as 9.

Associated with the winding drum or coiler 8 is a stripwrapping mechanism or belt-wrapper 10. The winding drum and the strip-wrapping apparatus are arranged along the center line of the mill with which they are associated. This wrapping apparatus is movable into and out of wrapping engagement with the Winding drum 8 by means of a piston rod 11, attached to a piston movable in cylinder 12, which cylinder may be operated by fluid such as air or water. The operating connections for the cylinder are not shown. The strip-wrapping apparatus may be of any usual type and is so arranged that the longitudinal axis of the apparatus is along the longitudinal axes of the rolling mill and coiler with which the apparatus is associated. The belt wrapper consists of two spaced apart side plates 13 on which are mounted linkages 14 and 15 controlled by springs 16. Links 14 are rotatably secured to plates 13 at 17 and to links 15 at 18. Midway of their length, the links 15 are joined by a cross member 19 trunnioned to the links so that the member 19 can rotate about its longitudinal axis. A connecting plate 20 is secured between the side plates 13. The springs 16 are interposed between member 19 and plate 20 and the action of the springs against the member 19 tends to rotate the link 15 clockwise about joint 18. Rotatably secured between the lower ends of links 15 is a roller or pulley 21 which is constrained to move in a straight line by means of member 22, which 4is slidably received in track 23 secured between plates 13. Rotatably secured between plates 13 in iixed position are rollers or pulleys 24, 25 and 26. .Tournaled between plates 13, preferably on the same centers as pulley 26 are links 27 which carry wrapping rollers 28 and 29 rotatably secured thereto. Each link 27 can be rotated around its point of attachment to plate 13. A lap belt 30, which may be of rubber and fabric construction, passesk around rollers 21, 24, 25, 26, 28 and 29, as shown particularly in Figures 2 aud 3. It will be observed that under the action of springs 16, exerted through linkage 14, 15 and theV weight of links 27 and associated rollers 28 and 29, the tensioning roller 21 will cause the belt 30 to assume the position shown in Figure 3 when there is no other force exerted against belt 30. When the belt is moved against reel 8, tensioning pulley 21 will be vmoved to the right, as shown in Figure 2, springs 16 will be compressed, and links 27 and associated pulleys 28 and 29 will assume the upright position shown in Figure 2. The belt is then in position for causing the strip to bevwrapped around the reel 8.

The supporting plates 13 are mounted on a carriage 31 which is moved back and forth along a track 32 by the movement of piston rod 11. Movement of supporting plates or frame 13 back and forth will cause the belt to move out of and into position for wrapping thestrip around the reel 8. The wrapping position is shown in Figure 2 and the Anon-wrapping position in Figure 3.

`The structure so far described, except for details of the belt and supporting belt, is that shown in Klein Patent No. 2,172,616. y I

As shown inFigure 4 pulleys 24 and 28 are selfcentering pulleys of the type shown in the patent to Lorig No. 2,593,158, dated April 15, 1952. This pulley consists of a shaft 34 supported in spaced apart bearings 36 and a pair of axially opposed substantially identical roll sections 38 which are keyed to the shaft 34 so that the sections rotate at the same angular velocity. The peripheries of each section are so arranged with respect to the other that forces exerted on the belt have a com- 3 ponent on the object engaging surface of each section directed axiallyftoward the adjacent ends of the sections. Each of the pulleys 24 and 28 have a wide central flat portion 40 of maximum diameter connected to end iiat portions `-42 by portions 44. In place of the self-centering rollshown other self-centering rolls ofthe type shown in the patents to Lorig Nos. 2,592,581, dated April l5, 1952, and 2,593,157, datedy April 15, 1952, may be used. Pulleys 21, b25 and 29 are constructed as shown in Figure'S. As there shown, each pulley consists of a shaft `46'supported in spaced apart bearings 48 and a roll body khaving a Wide central fiat portion 50 of maximum diameter connected to end at portions 52 of minimum diameter by means of portions 54. The belt 30 has a wide `central at portion 56 of maximum diametervconnected `to end dat portions 58 of minimum diameter by portions 60. The flat central portions 56 of the belt 30 are preferably. of considerably greater width than the flat central portions 40 and 50 of the pulley and the portions 44,

r`5`4 and 60 are preferably tapered as shown.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When it is desired to coil the strip S the belt wrapper isjmoved into the position shown in Figure 2 by movement of piston rod 11 to the right and the strip S is passed over the idling roll 7 between belt 30 and reel 8, the reel 8 rotating counterclockwise as shown in Figure 2. Strip S is then held between belt 30 on the outside of the reel 8 until several turns have been made on the reel whereupon the wrapping apparatus is moved by means of piston rod 11 to the position shown in Figure 3 where it is wholly out of engagement with the reel. Under normal operating conditions the belt 30 will be maintained in centered position, as shown, by means of the pulleys 24 and 28. This centering is accomplished `by the action of the self-centering rolls as described'in the Lorig patents without dependence upon the particular shape of the rolls and belt. In the event of abnormal operating conditions such as excessive bearing deflec- `tions, misalignment of the entire unit and badly shaped strip where the disturbing forces exceed the corrective capacity of pulleys 24 .and 28, the sloping side of one of the belt fianges comes into contact with the corresponding pulley portions on pulleys 21, 24, 25, 28 and 29. When the belt 30 is forced off center the belt edge farthest away from the center is contracted while the other edge is elongated. If the belt moves to the right in Figures 4 and 5 the left half of the belt is tightened and the right half is loosened with the left hand bearing taking more load and the right hand bearing taking less load. This causes the axis of the belt section to tilt Vpermits the belt to move transversely so that it can readily kclimb onthe pulley, this being necessary for best functioning of the belt. If desired, the self-centering pulleys 2,4 and 28 may be replaced by pulleys of the type shown in Figure 5, but this results in more wear on the belt.

The shape of the pulleys and belt may vary somewhat without changing the essential operation of the belt `wrapper. Figure 6 shows a modification in which pulley 62 has an outside surface which decreases in diameter from its transverse center to each end with belt 64 having a shape conforming to that of the pulley. It will be understood that this modification applies to each of the pulleys 21, 24, 2S, 28 and 29.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 pulley 66 has a central at portion 68 of maximum diameter and a portion 70 at each end which gradually decreases in diameter from `the flat portion to the outer edges of the pulley.

inner surface of vbelt 72 has a shape conforming to 4 that of the pulley 66. It will be understood that this modification applies to each of the pulleys 21, 24, 25, 28 and 29.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of my invention in which outer surface 74 of pulley 76 and the inner surface of belt 78 are circular in shape. In each case the belt may overhang the ends of the pulley if desired.

Figure 9 shows a somewhat different modification of our device in which roll 80 has a narrow flat central portion 82 of maximum diameter and end flat portions 84 of minimum diameter connected by means of shoulders 86. Belt 88 has a shape conforming to that of the roll 80. The operation of this device is the same as that described above except that the centering effect due to the shape of the belt and pulley is essentially limited to that caused by the axis of the belt section tilting clockwise with respect to the pulley.

In each of the various embodiments described above all of the rolls 21, 24, 25, 28 and 29, shaped as shown in the different embodiments, may be solid rolls, however the rolls 24 and 28 may be self-centering rolls in the manner shown in Fig. 4.

While several embodiments of our invention have been shown and described it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. Strip coiling apparatus comprising a reel on which the strip is to be coiled, and a belt wrapper movable into and out of cooperative relationship with the reel for wrapping the strip around the reel at the beginning of the coiling operation; said belt wrapper including a plurality of spaced apart pulleys, spaced arms supporting one of said pulleys at the ends thereof, means for pivotally supporting said arms, said arms and said last named pulley being movable about said last named means into and out of operative engagement with said reel, and an endless belt passing around said pulleys, the outer surface of each pulley having a maximum diameter at its transverse center and a minimum diameter adjacent its ends, the inner surface of said belt being shaped to conform generally to the outer surface of the pulley and having. a

"maximum diameter at its transverse center and a minimum diameter adjacent its ends.

2. Strip coiling apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least one of said pulleys is an automatic centering roll having a pair of axially opposed substantially identical roll sections, and means for causing each section to rotate at the same angular velocity, the peripheries of ksaid sections being so arranged with respect to each other that forces exerted on the belt have a component from the object engaging surface of each section directed along the axis of each section toward the adjacent end of the section.

3. Strip coiling apparatus comprising a reel on which the strip is to be coiled, and a belt wrapper movable into and out of cooperative relationship with the reel for wrapping the strip around the reel at the beginning of the Vcoiling operation; said belt wrapper including a plurality of spaced apart pulleys, spaced arms supporting one of said pulleys at the ends thereof, means for pivotally supporting said arms, said arms and said last named pulley being movable about said last named means into and out of operative engagement with said reel, and an endless belt passing around said pulleys, the outer surface of each pulley having a central 'dat portion of maximum diameter and portions adjacent each end of its at portion gradually decreasing in diameter toward its outer ends, the inner surface of said belt being shaped to conform generally to the outer surface of the pulley and having a central at portion of maximum diameter and portions adjacent each end of its iiat portion gradually decreasing in diameter to its outer ends.

4. Strip coiling apparatus according to claim 3 in which at least one of said pulleys is an automatic centering roll having a pair of axially opposed substantially identical roll sections, and means for causing each section to rotate at the same angular velocity, the peripheries of said sections being so arranged with respect to each other that forces exerted on the belt have a component from the object engaging surface of each section directed along the axis of each section toward the adjacent end of the section.

5. Strip coiling apparatus comprising a reel on which the strip is to be coiled, and a belt Wrapper movable into and out of cooperative relationship with the reel for wrapping the strip around the reel at the beginning of the coiling operation; said belt wrapper including a plurality of spaced apart pulleys, spaced arms supporting one of said pulleys at the ends thereof, means for pivotally supporting said arms, said arms and said last named pulley being movable about said last named means into and out of operative engagement with said reel, and an endless belt passing around said pulleys, the outer surface of each pulley having a central at portion of maximum,

diameter, end at portions of minimum diameter, the inner surface of said belt having a central ilat portion of maximum diameter and end flat portions of minimum diameter, the central flat portion of said belt being substantially Wider than the central flat portion of said pulley.

6. Strip coiling apparatus according to claim in which at least one of said pulleys is an automatic centering roll having a pair of axially opposed substantially identical roll sections, and means for causing each section to rotate at the same angular velocity, the peripheries of said sections being so arranged with respect to each other that forces exerted on the belt have a component from the object engaging surface of each section directed along the axis of each section toward the adjacent endof the section.

7. Strip coiling apparatus comprising a reel on which the strip is to be coiled, and a belt wrapper movable into and out of cooperative relationship with the reel for wrapping the strip around the reel at the beginning of the coiling operation; said belt Wrapper including a plurality of spaced apart pulleys, a shaft for each of said pulleys, each shaft adapted to be supported at its ends, and an endless belt passing around said pulleys, spaced arms supporting one of said pulleys at the ends thereof, means for pivotally supporting said arms, said arms and said last named pulley being movable about said last named means into and out of operative engagement with said reel, the outer surface of each pulley having a wide central at portion of maximum diameter, and end Hat portions of minimum diameter, the inner surface of said belt having a central at portion of maximum diameter and end at portions of minimum diameter, the central flat portion of said belt being substantially wider than the central flat portion of said pulley, and a tapered portion on at least one of said surfaces connecting the portions of minimum and maximum diameters.

8. Strip coiling apparatus according to claim 7 in which at least one of said pulleys is an automatic centering roll having a pair of axially opposed substantially identical roll sections, means for causing each section to rotate at the same angular velocity, the peripheries of said sections being so arranged with respect to each other that forces exerted on the belt have a component from the object engaging surface of each section directed along the axis of each section toward the adjacent end of the section.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,172,616 Klein Sept. 12, 1939 2,309,781 OBrien Feb. 2, 1943 2,593,158 Lorig Apr. 15, 1952 

